some type of egret?

[jw]

anyone know this bird species? it lives beside carrigaholt pier

[corbyeire]

nearly 100% its a little egret

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Egret

[Caz-Galway]

Deffo a little egret. Spreading up tru Ireland now. I have seen them in connemara.

From birdwatch Ireland

An unmistakable bird, the little egret is a small white heron with white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet. It first bred in Ireland in 1997. Its colonization followed from a range expansion into western and northern France and into the UK in previous decades. It is now breeding at a number of south and east coast sites. As a rare breeding species it is a bird of medium conservation concern in Ireland.



The Little Egret is a species showing an increase in its use of the reserve. In 2004, Little Egrets were only seen in six months out of 12 but were seen in every month during 2005. Only single birds were seen in 2003 and 2004. However, in 2005 there were 15 records of two birds, three records of three birds, one record of four birds and one record of seven birds. Ditch re-profiling, raised water levels and pool creation on the reserve has improved its feeding opportunities.



Where does it live?

Little Egrets show a preference for shallow waters, especially along coasts and estuaries. Currently they are found mostly on the south and east coasts. They nest communally, often alongside the nests of other herons and associated wetland species. Colonies are located in reed beds, wetland scrub and in trees near water. Little Egrets breed at Broad Lough to the south of the reserve. During the winter it is found on coastal estuaries, salt marshes and tidal inlets.



What does it eat?

Small fish



When to see it

All year round, although numbers increase in autumn and winter as birds arrive from continental Europe.

Caz

[Bradan]

Yup, little egret. Very common along the south coast now, and spreading further north every year. Saw one near Westport last week.

[BASS POINT]

Little egret have been in Tramore Waterford since the early 90's and has nested in the area at first no said any thing about them and there nest site is only known to a few.
Last time i counted them on the back strand 127 total feeding.
I think the little egret and the yellow foot egret are not the same bird .

[thescotsman]

looks like a little egret to me too John, good few of them around Cork Harbour. See them all the time up the river into Carrigaline

[jw]

thanks for replies, interesting how a species can extend its range so quickly,
quite a big yoke, guess the big egret must be enormous

[Paul B]

We have a lot of them around the Bull Wall ....Nice lookin' bird's !!

[corbyeire]

interesting how a species can extend its range so quickly,

might be the global warming

[eric]

We have a lot of them around the Bull Wall ....Nice lookin' bird's !!

yeah, could be an option for a recesion induced christmas roast.

[cortaz]

We have a lot of them around the Bull Wall ....Nice lookin' bird's !!

yeah, could be an option for a recesion induced christmas roast.

not nice to eat, taste a bit like seagulls cooked or uncooked:P
basspoint, think ur rightabout 2 seperate species . wonder what impact they have on the eco system dem being non-native, shoud they be classed as an invaseave species.... they look nice, then so do mink

[eric]

We have a lot of them around the Bull Wall ....Nice lookin' bird's !!

yeah, could be an option for a recesion induced christmas roast.

not nice to eat, taste a bit like seagulls cooked or uncooked:P
basspoint, think ur rightabout 2 seperate species . wonder what impact they have on the eco system dem being non-native, shoud they be classed as an invaseave species.... they look nice, then so do mink

i dont think they can be ckased as invasive, they came here of their own accord. it nice to evolution in the flesh

[twinkle]

hope there following the cod shoals if there not lets wipe them out we,v enough scavangers eaten what little fish we have left

[corbyeire]

it would be nice to see one of them swoop down and eat the pesky whiting that dont go back rather than the usual gulls!

[daminim]

you were quick getting the picture! fair play - nice bird.

[dunner]

hope there following the cod shoals if there not lets wipe them out we,v enough scavangers eaten what little fish we have left

DEAR GOD!
man IS DOING ALL THE DAMAGE!!!!!!!!!!

[twinkle]

exactley why stop with just fish

[dunner]

true for ya boy!

[Davy Murdoch]

loads of them showing up around strangford lough,not sure how far north from there they have reached tho.

nice looking bird. little egret has black legs and yellow feet

[colin c]

A few knocking about Larne Lough Davy

Was it 26 we counted that day in Strangford in the summer??There was 6 at the canal the other day.